#FinallyFriday {5}: Noble Warrior

Finally Friday is a meme started by me (Jessica, aka @coffeelvnmom) and J from @life_love_fandoms. This week's I-finally-read-this-waiting-on-Wednesday-book is: Noble Warrior.



Noble Warrior was a gritty, fast-paced read that kept me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning. (Fights! Bang! Boom! Mean people! Everybody fend for themselves! Jerk faces galore!!! MOAR fighting! Liars! BIG FIGHT!) I had no idea until about halfway through Noble Warrior that it was book two in a series! Nevertheless, book one wasn't really needed to read NW, as Mr. Sitomer tied everything together well with quick explanations here and there—there was never long backstory or anything.



As for the premise of Noble Warrior, the blurb pretty much explains it all. What you don’t expect, however, is 1) how graphic it’ll be and 2) how much you’re going to continually question everything. I was never completely sure who was actually on Daniels’ side up to the very end! So many characters turned out to be different people than I thought they were! The constant back and forth is one of the things that kept me turning the pages. I loved that about NW. I *had* to know what was going to happen next.

Speaking of what was going to happen, the ending surprised me. I don’t want to say anymore than that, because spoilers, but man, that one turn kinda made me sad. Was it a set up for book three? Yeah. But still. :( 

(Am I going to read the next book? Heck yes.)

If you like vivid descriptions, martial arts, frank talk between guys, and enjoy reading about gang and FBI politics, OR are looking for something different and bold, I highly recommend Noble Warrior.*

*Though the MC was of normal YA character age, due to graphic violence, crude language, and sexual references, I’d say Noble Warrior is most definitely for *mature* YA audiences only.

Waiting on Wednesday {95}: Trouble is a Friend of Mine

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: Trouble is a Friend of Mine.

Trouble is a Friend of Mine

by Stephanie Tromly

Publication date: August 4, 2015

From NetGalley:

Sherlock meets Veronica Mars meets Ferris Bueller's Day Off in this story of a wisecracking girl who meets a weird but brilliant boy and their roller-coaster of a semester that's one part awkward, three parts thrilling, and five parts awesome

When Philip Digby first shows up on her doorstep, Zoe Webster is not impressed. He's rude and he treats her like a book he's already read and knows the ending to. But before she knows it, Digby--annoying, brilliant and somehow attractive?--has dragged her into a series of hilarious and dangerous situations all related to an investigation into the kidnapping of a local teenage girl. A kidnapping that may be connected to the tragic disappearance of his own sister eight years ago.

When it comes to Digby, Zoe just can't say no. Digby gets her, even though she barely gets herself. But is Digby a hero, or is his manic quest an indication of a desperate attempt to repair his broken family and exercise his own obsessive compulsive tendencies?

A romance where the leading man is decidedly unromantic, a crime novel where catching the crook isn't the only hook, a friendship story where they aren't even sure they like each other--this is a contemporary debut with razor-sharp dialogue, ridiculously funny action, and the most charismatic dynamic duo you've ever met.

Welcome to the #ExcusetoRead read-a-thon! :D

Hi, all! Welcome to EXCUSE TO READ read-a-thon, day one!!!! :D Are you excited to get some reading done? I sure am! 

Today, July 28th, we're showing off the books we've chosen to read over the course of the week. I've chosen a LOT of books, and though it's not likely I'll finish them all, I wanted a nice variety of YA so I can read according to my mood. Here they are:

My official Excuse to Read TBR

A quick breakdown:

GOOSE (Paper Aeroplanes, #2) by Dawn O'Porter (eARC) 

Why I'm reading it: I need to read this before it's no longer available on NetGalley (end of August). I've never read anything by her before, but the description of GOOSE drew me in and I wanted to know more. I actually had no idea that this is actually book two until I was setting up this post, so now I suppose I should read Paper Aeroplanes first!

Add to Goodreads

THE WESTING GAME by Ellen Raskin 

Why I'm reading it: I came across this in the 99 Cent Store, and it looked like a great, fun mystery. Not what I usually read, which is why I'm quite excited about it! :) 

Add to Goodreads

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI by Melina Marchetta

Why I'm reading it:
Two words: Melina Marchetta.
Jellicoe Road.
Lumatere Chronicles.
(oh wait, that's six.)
I love Melina's writing, and have heard great things about Looking For Alibrandi.  

Add to Goodreads

FALLING INTO PLACE by Amy Zhang (ARC)

Why I'm reading it: Because I've wanted to for a long time (the premise, young age of the author, and cover had me curious) and finally recently received a copy from Britt (@Kalebsmome) using the #booksfortrade on Twitter! :D 

Add to Goodreads

A STRANGE MACHINE (Time Loopers, #1) by Dan Rix

Why I'm reading it: Mainly because ever since reading Myra McEntire's Hourglass &Timepiece, Loop & Twist by Karen Akins, and Nicole Zoltack's The Test of Time, I've been looking for more time travel books! This series looks fun, and I'm always looking to add to my list of indie reads.  

Add to Goodreads

TIN STAR by Cecil Castellucci (ARC)

Why I'm reading it: I've wanted this book in my hands ever since I saw the cover and read that it had to do with aliens. This is another ARC I got from Britt and #booksfortrade. 

Add to Goodreads

THE WALLED CITY by Ryan Graudin (ARC)

Why I'm reading it: A) haven't read a dystopian in a while B) I love those three lines on the cover C) most of my GR friends have enjoyed it, and that's saying something! (Thanks again to Britt for this ARC! hehe)

Add to Goodreads

MARK OF THE THIEF (Mark of the Thief, #1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Why I'm reading it: After reading The Ascendance Trilogy (The False Prince, etc) by Ms. Nielsen, I've been looking forward to reading something else by her, so I pre-ordered Mark of the Thief not long after it was announced. Then it arrived, and... I never got around to reading it! :( 

Add to Goodreads

FROM THE WRECKAGE (From the Wreckage, #1) by Michele G. Miller

Why I'm reading it: I came across this a while back on Amazon, and it's been sitting on my Kindle ever since. Basically, it looks good, has tons of great ratings, the author already has two more books in the series out (ACK!), and I'm tired of it taunting me on my screen!  

Add to Goodreads





And... that's my breakdown! WHEW!!!! I'm so excited to get started! 

***If you're participating in the read-a-thon, link up below so we can cheer each other on! If you would like to join in and read along with us, please do! THE MORE THE MERRIER! (Here's a little info that explains what's going on.)

An InLinkz Link-up

July's #JLBgivesawayanINDIE: 2 time travel books, + go back to Shakespearean time w/a Romeo & Juliet DVD!

July's #JLBgivesawayanINDIE is not one but two of Nicole Zoltack's time travel standalones!!! As a BONUS, we're also giving away a DVD of the The Most Dangerous Love Story Ever Told (US only)! More about the DVD soon, but first, here's a little about Love Before Honor and The Test of Time:



Love Before Honor: Honor. Truth. Loyalty. Love. All of these matter most to Sir Gerald. To avenge his love's death, he challenges her murderer to a duel. Her twin, however, feels that Alice never loved Gerald and gives him a tea. Alice had also given him teas, which enhanced his love for her, but this tea is different. This tea sends him to into the future, to the Regency era.

Lady Vanessa seeks a Christmas treat when she hears something outside the manor. Upon investigation, she sees a man dressed in armor. Unwilling to turn away a confused man with the approaching holiday, she convinces her parents to house Gerald until the new year.

Scandal has forced her parents to accept William as their daughter's best chance at marriage. Although rich, he does not understand her or her love of books and only sees her for her looks, whereas Gerald listens to her, confides in her and she him. With the approaching holiday, nothing is certain - not whether Gerald can discover a way back to his duel, whether he can move on from Alice, and not whether this Christmas will be a happy one for either Gerald or Vanessa.

add to Goodreads 

The Test of Time: Katia jumps at the chance to go to England with her best friend after Rose ditches her deadbeat boyfriend. While walking through the market, she spies a large mansion and recognizes the guy out front as her high school friend Tony. Just as they start to reconnect, Katia passes through times and lands in the arms of Lord Landon, who looks like Tony but certainly doesn’t act like him.

Soon, Katia learns that this 1815 is different from the one in history books. Trapped in a parallel world, Katia struggles to not fall for Landon but his charm proves too much for her. Just when she is about to confess her love for him, Katia travels through time yet again.

The course of love never did run smooth and if Katia can’t figure out and master the test of time, she’ll never see or friends again, or worse, never be reunited with Landon.

add to Goodreads 

***

As mentioned earlier, not only are we giving away two time travel romance e-books, but we're also giving away a DVD of the ULTIMATE romance: Romeo & Juliet! Woohoo!

This #JLBgivesawayanINDIE lasts for two weeks, and is US only. 

Here's the Rafflecopter! :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

EARLY READER PROGRAM INFO (#ARCs #bookbloggers #reviews)

It's official: I've decided to do something different regarding new releases and book reviews. Usually, eARCs (electronic advanced reader copies) are sent out to readers interested and willing to read and review (R&R) a book before or not long after it comes out; and then a few hardcopies are given to either people out of the US, or readers interested in reviewing later on, once the book has already been released.

But lately... I've been feeling like it's time to get back to actual, physical copies. There's nothing like holding the book in your hands, flipping the pages, staring at the cover, reading the back flap, and being able to pass it along to another reader who might enjoy it.

I'm not saying that I will never henceforth from this moment on ever share eARCs again, but for now, with a few projects in the works and other things possibly happening next year, it's looking like physical ARCs are going to be my main MO.

Because of this, and due to the fact that ARCs cost money to both print and ship, I'm looking for readers who are genuinely interested in reading and reviewing my books to be a part of a Early Review group.

After figuring out the cost of doing this, it's become obvious that there has to be a limited amount of spots available. (Would I love to send everyone a book? Sure. But then, um, writing more books would be hard, because I'd still be trying to pay for those darn ARCs, so how would I get the next ones out?) Therefore, I'm asking that those who DO show interest in this program only do so if they think they will be able to read and review. (Not saying read and lie; please be honest about what you think.) 

My other stipulation to this group is that those accepted need to be aware of and agree upon the stipulation that while posting a review on Goodreads is lovely, it generally does not help an author make sales. Which means I will be requiring that those in the Early Review group post their review on either Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, The Book Depository, or iBooks. (Can be some of those, all of those, whatever, as long as you do at least one.)

If, after reading all of that, you're still down to be an Early Reader (I sure hope so!) please FILL OUT THIS FORM. Those accepted into the program will be contacted in the next few weeks. Thank you in advance for your interest in my work! 

Have a blessed weekend!

Waiting on Wednesday {94}: This Raging Light

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: This Raging Light.

This Raging Light

by Estelle Laure

Publication date: December 22, 2015

From Goodreads:

The novel follows a teenager and her younger sister as they try to deal with their mother’s sudden disappearance. Things become further complicated when older sister Lucille falls for her best friend’s brother. The publisher said the book is a “luminous portrait” of two young girls enduring hardship.

Get If I Speak True (Flora, 1) for only 99 cents!

Hi all,

Quick reminder post that If I Speak True is only 99 cents right now (link)! 

Remember, if you want to read what happens next (in Rowan's POV), the novella, By Sun & Candlelight (Flora 1.5) is always 99 cents also (or, you can buy the entire Flora bundle: If I Speak True, By Sun & Candlelight, and Open Thy Heart for only $3.99)! 

Be blessed,

Jessica

Waiting on Wednesday {93}: The Possibility of Now

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: The Possibility of Now.

The Possibility of Now

by Kim Culbertson

Publication date: January 26th, 2016

From Goodreads:

About an overachieving 16-year-old who flees her elite private school after suffering a public anxiety attack that goes viral to live with her estranged father in Tahoe, CA, where, in her attempt to take a break from her high-pressure life, she becomes entangled with a group of skiers who force her to rethink much of what she's been taught - both about her own past and about the next right step.

July's #ReaderInterview: Jasmine Pearl (@JasmineRaymundo)

Welcome back to a monthly meme here at Let Me Tell You A Story: Reader Interview! I met Jasmine on Twitter recently, and asked if she'd like to tell us about her faves! Good news: She said yes! :D So here she is!

1. How long have you been reading YA?

I think I started reading YA last November 2013. Almost all of my friends in senior highschool were wide readers and we loved talking about all the characters from the books we were reading. They influenced me, I guess. :D

2. Have you ever bought a book based on cover love, alone? If so, what book was it?

Yes, I did buy once because of cover love! It is My True Love Gave To Me by 12 authors. :D

Um, yes, that really *is* gorgeous.

3. You've just grabbed a book. What do you read first?

Oh, I'll most probably check the back. I'm always reading the synopsis of the book. I also check the price of the book.

4. Paperback, ebook or hardcover?

OH. This question is very easy. PAPERBACK. I'm a paperback baby! Almost 95% of my books are paperbacks. They're cheaper and they're easy to carry!

5. Go to page 83 of your current read. Find a sentence you like. Share it.

I'm currently reading an ARC of Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. My fave sentence on this page + a teaser is: 

Your message has been received and quarantined. Your message will be processed. Over.

6. Do you have a favorite character? If so, who is it, and what makes them stand out above everyone else?

Yes, I do have a favorite character and it is Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. She's such a rockstar to me. She's rad and caring. I love her archery skills. ;D

7. Now, tell us about your favorite secondary character. What do you like about them? Would you rather meet them than your favorite main character? Why or why not?

My favorite secondary character is Mara Dyer from the Mara Dyer Trilogy by Michelle Hodkin. She is extraordinary. She's different. I don't want to spoil you but I'd recommend this trilogy to you, guys. I'd prefer to meet Katniss Everdeen + Peeta Mellark. ;D

8. Name a book you didn't think you'd like very much, but were pleasantly surprised by.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. I thought this book would gave me so much drama but I ended up loving it. It's family-oriented that's why I really loved this book so much. 

9. Is there a book or series you'd love to be able to buy the soundtrack for?

I think I'd buy the soundtrack of the Mara Dyer Trilogy. I hope there is. >_<

10. Describe your favorite reading spot.

I'm usually reading on the sofa. I have my laptop or phone with me. I barely read books on my bed because I tend to fall asleep. Whenever I see pillows, I always feel sleepy. :D

11. Book that recently made you laugh:

Ugh, I think I haven't read anything funny recently. I think Anna and the French Kiss made me laugh. You should go read it too. Etienne is < 3 

12. All-time favorite YA title:

Oh, this is difficult. I love all YA titles. They're all unique! ;D

13. If you could choose one book not yet adapted to be a movie, what would it be? What element would you look forward most to seeing on the big screen?

Mara Dyer! I really look forward to seeing "their" powers and the chemistry between Mara Dyer and Noah Shaw. 

14. Favorite spine art:

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. #Covergasm to the max level. < 3 

15. Name one character you'd never want to be stranded with on a desert island:

I don't want to be stranded with Voldemort. Damn, I don't have any powers and wand. 

16. What character would you never want to trade places with?

Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy. I don't want to..... cry. *I don't want to spoil you, guys*

17. Favorite indie book:

I think I haven't read much indie books lately. I'm not sure with my answer.

18. Book not yet released you're looking forward most to reading:

I'm so excited to read Winter by Marissa Meyer. (I haven't bought Scarlet and Cress yet.)

About Jasmine:

Hi! I'm Jasmine Pearl. I'm seventeen years old and I'm a second year college student taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. I'm living in the Philippines and my hobby is bookstagramming, book blogging, and anything that involves books. If you like books, then I'd probably be your friend. :)

Connect with Jasmine on Instagram | her blog | Twitter | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday {92}: The August Five

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: The August Five.

The August Five

by Jenna Helland

Publication date: November 10, 2015

From Goodreads:

In this debut novel, two worlds collide amid clashes of power, honor, and what it truly means to be brave.

Tommy Shore is the son of the most important man on Aeren—a high-ranking politician who wants nothing more than to take away all of the rights of the lower-class cottagers. Tamsin Henry is the daughter of a revolutionary man who has hopes of overthrowing the corrupt politicians, also called the Zunft, the group that holds all the power in this world.

The two sides clash when Tommy rescues Tamsin during the August Rising, a cottager attack organized by a group of rebels known as the August Five. He starts to question the motives of the Zunft and realizes that it will take all of his resolve to stand up to his father and fight for the rights of those who have none.

July's Monthly Breakdown (a sale, cover reveal, review sign-ups, a read-a-thon, + more)

Hey all! Hope you had a lovely fourth! Haven't done a monthly breakdown in a while, but this month is gonna be busy, so we've gotta have one. :) Buckle your seat belts, we've got a lot of ground to cover! Are you ready? Then, away we go...

Monday, July 13th: Reader Interview with Jasmine Pearl.

Friday, July 17th: IF I SPEAK TRUE's ebook goes on sale for 99 cents!

Monday, July 20th: July's TIME TRAVEL #JLBgivesawayanINDIE begins with two of Nicole Zoltack's time travel standalones! (FYI, neither of these are YA, but they are both YA appropriate.) I *had* to throw that Big Ben pic in there for the announcement photo, but don't worry, there will be a better looking one for the actual giveaway (now you see why I hire Hafsah to do the professional stuff hehehe)! INTERNATIONAL ebook giveaway. 

Friday, July 24th: Early Review sign ups will begin (more info coming soon).

Monday, July 27th: THE WORDS WE THOUGHT WERE TRUE (Cozenage, #2)'s cover reveal at IceyBooks! (IAMSOEXCITED)

Tuesday, July 28th: EXCUSE TO READ--a week-long read-a-thon hosted by Cheyanne Young and I--begins. EXCUSE TO READ is your go-to excuse to set stuff aside and catch up on a little reading! :D It'll be a simple read-a-thon: post the books you plan to read (if you like), read books, post updates (if you like), read books, and at the end, we'll have a few fun summary ideas that you can share on your blog, Instagram, whatever! (Simple, see?) If you're interested in participating in/hearing more about the EXCUSE TO READ read-a-thon, fill out this form! :)

AND... OH MY GOOD SWEET MORSELS OF HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE, I THINK... 
I'M ACTUALLY.... DONE! Goodbye, and be blessed, everyone! 

Waiting on Wednesday {91}: Library Jumpers

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. This week's can't-wait-to-read pre-publication book is: Library Jumpers.

Library Jumpers

by Brenda Drake

Publication date: January 5th, 2016

From Goodreads:

Gia Kearns would rather fight with boys than kiss them. That is, until Arik, a leather clad hottie in the Boston Athenaeum, suddenly disappears. While examining the book of world libraries he abandoned, Gia unwittingly speaks the key that sucks her and her friends into a photograph and transports them into a Paris library, where Arik and his Sentinels—magical knights charged with protecting humans from the creatures traveling across the gateway books—rescue them from a demonic hound.

Jumping into some of the world's most beautiful libraries would be a dream come true for Gia, if she weren’t busy resisting her heart or dodging an exiled wizard seeking revenge on both the Mystik and human worlds. Add a French flirt obsessed with Arik and a fling with a young wizard, and Gia must choose between her heart and her head, between Arik's world and her own, before both are destroyed.